Batool Al Shurman, a Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) student from Irbid-Jordan, currently finishing her YES year in Louisiana/ USA, has had a busy year. She used her time in the United States to reach out in every direction to create bridges of cultural understanding. Batool did over 60 presentations throughout the year about Jordan to teach her classmates and friends in the U.S more about her country and introduce them to the Jordanian culture and traditions. She also has completed 140 hours of community service, with activities ranging from working with the sports medicine team in her high school and helping taking care of athletic injuries to participating in the Special Education Olympics, helping a student with Down syndrome. In addition, Batool was chosen to march a parade, to represent her high school in a big holiday in Louisiana, called Mardi Gras. She also had the opportunity to participate as an exchange student in better understanding to a better world conference in Baltimore Maryland. Because she was keen to take advantage of every opportunity presented to her, Batool, for the very first time in her life, has managed to finish running 5 KM in one hour and participate in her first weightlifting meet and lift 135 lb for the first time. In her free time, Batool works at the School TV studio. With all of this, she has managed to keep her grades up and was selected to participate in the Chalmette high school graduation. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program is an educational exchange program for high school students (age 15-17). YES students receive scholarships to spend up to one academic year in the U.S. The program is vital to expanding communication between the people of the United States and its partner countries in the program in order to promote mutual understanding and respect. Students live with a host family, attend a U.S. high school, engage in activities to learn about American society and values, acquire leadership skills, and help educate Americans about their countries and cultures.
Posted on: Sun, 08 Jun 2014 13:12:55 +0000
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